Ryan

I was sick yesterday and John let this little bugger stay up late....hence why he cried during his bath this morning (which he typically loves) and why he fell asleep waiting for lunch to be served.

Then before bed he jammed out on daddy's headphones.

And insisting that he wasn't tired at bedtime, he fell asleep like this...

Such a cutie!

Last day as a 5 year old

My baby is going to be 6 tomorrow!!!  Hasn't hit me just yet.

We spent the day doing lots of lego party prep.  He helped make the lego cupcakes.

And the ultimate reward:

We made lego crayon-holder centerpieces for the party:

And I got last cuddles with my 5 year old.  He is such a cuddler and I just love it.  He did tell me that when he's 6, he is going to be very busy and won't be able to cuddle.  Then he told me he was just kidding.  Oh the stinker!  I'm not sure how long we can cuddle before I'm lame....but I'm soaking it up now!

I just love this kid.

Memory

Carter eating cracker sticks & fake cheese dip.  

Mom, bremember when we were at the sprinkler park & I ate these?

Me: you have a good memory, Carter

Carter: yep, I have good rememberies.

Carter funny

At breakfast; random convo between 2 4.5-year olds:

Viv: when I was a baby I was in my moms tummy.

Carter: were you drawing pictures in there?

Haha - seriously carter?  

Zoo & Beach Impromptu Day!

Logan got on the bus.  Ryan & Carter woke up.  Sam texted saying she didn't have to go to school today, therefore I didn't have Vivie.  We went to a play date with one of Ryan's friends.  Came home. Got Logan off the bus.  Made get well signs for my great aunt.  Now what?  I've wanted to go to the zoo for some time now & it was a gorgeous day.  Why not? We got ready, grabbed food on the road & headed out!

It was great!  It wasn't busy at all & I got every obligatory zoo picture that I never attempted because it's always do busy!

The Kangaroo pouch - Ryan wasn't a huge fan, but obliged.

Checking out the camel.  Well, they were till I had them pose. :)

Logan tried to steer the crazy wagon. :)

We headed for the dolphin show!  We sat just above the splash zone, but still got wet!

Jump, flipper!

Next time we'll sit even higher. :)

Dolphin statue!

The we headed to the Hammill Family Play Zoo.  What a neat area!!!  It'll be perfect for winter trips!  Here they were Jr. Zookeepers & cleaned the place up!

Big sign/ fountain

THE LION!!!!  I am not sure if I ever got a chance to do this picture!

Then since we were so close to Chicago, we contacted John & met him on a run.  We were right by the beach, so we had some beach fun.  Logan & Ryan just woke up from a nap so they weren't as ready to play in the sand as my darling carter. :)

Sand angels!!!

A fun night!  It would have been stellar if my gps would not have lost it's signal, causing me to get lost myself....but eh, it's a learning experience!  I guess...

Not a sticker

The other 2 boys never did this ( well honestly there is a lot that Ryan does/gets in to that the other 2 boys didn't, but I digress.). Ryan was in our bathroom.  John & I told him to come out which he did but bam we were talking to Logan & Carter & he snuck in & closed the bathroom door behind him.  I noticed a few minutes later.  In the past he's played with water, stuck his finger in Chapstick, empty the cabinets, climbed on the counter & tried to play with hair gel, etc.  Well, he got into my feminine product box.

Dam good joke!

John wanted to run by the river today.  We dropped him off by a trail, by the river.  We stopped to see him off & cheer him on about a half mile away.....right by a man-made dam.  Well, Carter (since nature camp) thinks any dam is a beaver dam.

We see john run by & Carter shouts out the window:  Dad, dad, look; it's a dam beaver!!!!

I nearly lost it in laughter!!!  He said it backwards & oh my gosh....it was hilarious!

First Homework!!

Logan received his first homework assignment.  We were both excited! (Though I am well aware that kindergarten homework will pretty much all be way fun.... Not the same as he gets older....).  So for now we are enjoying it!!  Logan started right on it as he walked in the door & promptly said "I love homework!".  I will remind him of this in future years. :)

Sprinkler!

Last year Logan was just starting to run through sprinklers.....still not wanting to get his head wet.  This year is different...

Stunts & all!!!  Hooray!

River walk

John is doing a half marathon tomorrow, so we all went with him to packet pickup.  It was crazy humid, but still a lovely time. 

Ice Cream Social Night

We went to the ice cream social event at Logan's school tonight.  The older boys fell asleep a half hour earlier so they weren't in the best moods possible.  It was SO hot (90 degrees & soooo humid) & the event was outside.  Oy.  Ice cream

Then became drippy if not eaten fast enough.....which then made for sad kiddos.   On our way to find carter a bathroom, we bumped into his teacher & Logan's mood sure changed. :). He was happy & excited to see her.  She gave him a hug & was glad to see him as well ( which made me happy). I talked with her a bit & she is very nice.  I told her Logan did not go to preschool & she said she wouldn't have otherwise known ( which again makes me proud of him & our decision).  She said he is a very sweet kid. :).  She said she felt sweaty but still obliged for a pic.

Logan's first day of Kindergarten

A much anticipated day for the family....Logan's first day of kindergarten! We opted not to do preschool so while he did a camp & VBS, this is his first real exposure to school.  He was do excited!  I was both nervous & excited for him!

John's uncle passed away so he & Carter attended the funeral while Ryan & I saw Logan off for his first day.  Last week we made a list of things he needed to do before going to school: 1) go pee 2) make bed 3) get dressed 4) eat breakfast 5) brush teeth 6) get shoes on 7) get coat on if necessary 8) kiss mom 9) have a blast at school!

He entered my room at 6:30, gave me a kiss, told me he was exited for his first day & then promptly left to make his bed & put in the outfit we picked out the night prior.

He ate his favorite breakfast (pancakes) on his Special Day plate.

Then he quickly completed the rest if his tasks.  We had time to spare, but 7:40 came around quickly.  We took some pictures.

I actually asked him to be silly to loosen up a bit.

Ryan said no to a picture.... But I will always say yes to a pic with my boys!

I have other pics on my 'good' camera.

Off to the bus we go!

At the bus stop with a few first graders & a third grader.

The bus came very much on time at 7:50.  Off he went!  He did turn around for a pic , such a great kiddo'

I made sure he had his bus pass on.  The other moms mentioned that the bus drivers are very good about checking it.  This bus driver didn't....and the other moms noticed.   Between that & seeing my baby get on that bus....I started to lose it.  I waited until I left them & I grabbed Ryan & we got in the car.  A million things raced thru my mind but I needed to make sure my baby got to school safely.  I couldn't find the bus on it's few street-route, so I headed to the school.  I pulled in after making sure I was allowed (that it wasn't bus-only) & I was relieved when I saw I his bus there.  I didn't see Logan since many other busses were passing his bus.  I felt better, but now my lil man was in that big ol school....

I pulled it together & went home, did laundry & started cleaning up the place.  My parents arrived soon after. 

I watched the clock like a hawk & we all walked down to the bus stop at 10:35.  I knew I was early, but in case they were super fast, I didn't want to miss a beat.  I met another neighbor while waiting.  Her daughter Sophie is in the same class as Logan.  The bus arrived around 10:55.  This bus driver did the valid checks against his bus pass, unfortunately the office that hAd me full it out have me incorrect directions <sigh>. (Their organization has a lot of room for improvement).

He was so excited!  He held my hand & told me many things about his day. :)

They had a celebration of the flag.

We rode on a pretend bus!

His teacher has black hair; long; is tall & nice.

He said there were LOTS of girls & LOTS & LOTS & LOTS of boys.  (Not sure if meant all together or in his class, cuz his class has about 16 students....

They colored the front of a crayon book.

They didn't line up to use the bathroom but he did use it.  Later he showed me the way to raise your hand if you need to bisected bathroom. 

They did not sing any songs.

The teacher read a book called the kissing hand in which a mom raccoon kisses the baby (raccoon)'a hand & in turn later the baby kisses its moms hand.   He liked it.

He says they got to choose where they sit, but later he told be he was wrong.  He did sit at a table with 2 other boys; no names.

They out their backpacks on the back of their chairs.

Miss Oh gave them a purple folder to use as the communication to & from

Home/ school.  She sent home a letter from her & the newsletter.

He had a wonderful first day & was so excited to go back!!

Tie Dye Shirts

On vacation we made tie dye shirts!  My cousin Lauren led the process & all the little cousins had fun....oh & Dawn, James, Melissa & I!!

Lauren taught us how to roll in spirals or stripes.

Logan's turn squirt on the color. He chose navy, teal, green, red & yellow.  He also chose to do the spiral technique.

Logan's shirt is all done!  Now to sit in the sun for a few hours....

Carter's turn.  He knew exactly what he wanted & was very serious picking out his colors.  So cute!  Navy, teal, yellow & red.  Carter also chose the spiral technique.  Ryan had no choice & went with my choice if stripes. :)

Carter's done!

Finished product!